QEH performs Barbados’ first TAVI procedure

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has marked a major milestone in public healthcare delivery with the successful completion of Barbados’ first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure.

The landmark surgery was performed in the Cardiac Suite at the Lion’s Eye Care Centre by a multidisciplinary medical team led by Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr Christita Powlett, with support from Dr Jose Lugo, Consultant Cardiologist; Dr Dawn Scantlebury, Consultant and Head of the Cardiology Department; and Dr Sherry Lashley, Anesthesiologist.

TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat Aortic Stenosis, a condition involving the narrowing of the aortic valve that primarily affects elderly patients. Many senior citizens are not suitable candidates for traditional open-heart surgery due to age and existing co-morbidities. The successful introduction of this procedure at the QEH represents a significant advancement in treatment options for this vulnerable population.

Dr  Powlett says the procedure was a success, and the first patient is recovering well. The TAVI procedure involves inserting a catheter through a large blood vessel – most commonly via the groin – or through a small incision in the chest, guiding it to the heart, and implanting a new valve over the existing one.

Internationally, the procedure has a success rate of over 98 per cent, with patients typically experiencing rapid symptom relief and significantly shorter recovery times, often being discharged within two to three days.

While TAVI procedures have previously been performed in countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana within the private sector, this achievement is particularly significant as the service is now being offered within the public healthcare system at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

To date, two TAVI procedures have been performed successfully, despite operating under reduced theatre capacity. This is due to ongoing challenges with the central air-conditioning unit that services six other operating theatres.

In response, QEH management, led by Chief Executive Officer, Neil Clark, together with the medical teams have implemented an extended rotating theatre system, utilising three operational theatres for extended hours during weekdays and weekends.

This measure has allowed the Hospital to continue urgent surgical services, meet critical demand, and begin addressing the backlog created by the temporary loss of theatre capacity.

While repairs are currently underway and surgical operations continue this week in the available theatres, the Hospital has procured a new central air-conditioning system, which is enroute and scheduled for installation in March. This will serve as the long-term solution to fully restore all affected operating theatres to service.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital sincerely apologises to patients who may have experienced inconvenience or delays. Our medical teams have and will continue to reach out to those affected to guide them on the next course of care. We want to assure the public that every effort is being made to restore full operating capacity.

The Hospital remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing specialised medical services for Barbadians while maintaining safe, effective, and timely patient care. (Queen Elizabeth Hospital)